NEW COMMITS: Iowa State University has received a pair of verbal commitments for the 2020-21 season and beyond from Normal, Ill native Ashley Bengtson and Sydney Jackson of Temecula, Calif. Both swimmers are extremely talented freestylers and IMers and will add valuable depth to the Cyclones’ lineup.
Ashley Bengtson
Photo Courtesy: Ashley Bengtson
Bengtson does her club swimming with Waves Bloomington/Normal YMCA Swim Team and most recently placed sixth in the 100m free at Illinois LCM Seniors this past summer. Last winter, she finished 17th in the 200 free at Illinois SCY Seniors before going on to earn fives best times at Indianapolis Speedo Sectionals.
She also registered five top-15 finishes at the Speedo Music City Invite last winter. A current senior at Normal Community High School, Bengtson raced the 200 free and 500 free at the Illinois State Championships during her sophomore season.
She told Swimming World:
“I am thrilled to announce that I will be continuing my academic and athletic career at Iowa State University. I cannot thank my family, friends, teammates, and Coach Yourd enough for helping me get to this point. Looking forward to being a part of the Cyclone family next year”
Her best times include:
- 200 IM – 2:08.88
- 400 IM – 4:34.99
- 100 free – 52.51
- 200 free – 1:53.79
- 500 free – 5:04.08
Sydney Jackson
Photo Courtesy: David Jackson
Jackson swims year-round with North Coast Aquatics and capped off her summer long course season by finishing sixth in the 400m free and seventh in the 800m free at Mount Hood Futures. Last winter, she had four finals appearances and achieved the same number of best times at Carlsbad Speedo Sectionals.
Also competing for Great Oak High School, Jackson finished 13th in the 500 free at the 2019 CIF State Championships. She is also a five-time finalist at the CIF Southern DII Section Championships, most recently earning bronze in the 200 IM and placing fourth in the 500 free as a junior.
She told Swimming World:
“I am so beyond excited to announce my verbal commitment to Iowa State University! Thank you to my family, friends, coaches, and ISU for guiding me through this recruiting process and making it as easy as possible! I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for all of you. I chose ISU because of the team and how inviting they were and once I stepped on campus I knew this was going to be an easy decision. I’m so excited for next year and the next four years at Iowa State! #CyclONENation”
Her best times include:
- 500 free – 4:57.93
- 1000 free – 10:13.54
- 1650 free – 17:12.36
- 200 IM – 2:08.18
- 400 IM – 4:27.17
If you have a commitment to share, please send a photo and quote via email to hs@swimmingworld.com.
